Proudly Representing Mississippi

Sara Hederman

Class of 2021 Miss Hospitality 3rd Alternate ❝

I was so impressed with Sara’s positive attitude and her work ethic in and out of the classroom. A word that comes to mind when I think of Sara would be versatile.

WAYNETTE NOE Business Teacher ❞

Sara represented Ridgeland in the 72nd annual Mississippi Miss Hospitality competition. This competition consists of a one-on-one interview, a panel interview, 90-second Mississippi Speech, hometown commercial, cocktail dress modeling, and an evening gown portion.

In preparation for the competition, Sara studied current events and facts about economic development and tourism in Mississippi. She said the hardest part of the competition was writing and memorizing her Mississippi Speech.

She made the top ten and competed in the final event. During finals the contestants were asked on-stage interview questions which Sara said were very overwhelming because they did not know the questions they would be asked. She then made it to the top five where they were asked more detailed questions on stage. Sara placed third alternate.

Throughout her week in Hattiesburg, she made new friendships and memories that will stay with her forever. This experience pushed her to work hard and step out of her comfort zone, and she is so thankful that she did it! This pageant was held in April 2021 in Vicksburg, MS. It is the teen pageant associated with the Miss America Organization. Thirty amazing girls from all over the state who won their local preliminary pageant competed to become Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen 2021.

This was Tori’s third year to compete. Her Social Impact initiative is “Shining A Light on Special Needs.” She has been working with the special needs community since 2017.

Tori represented Mississippi at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2022 in Orlando at the end of July 2021. Fifty-one girls (the 50 states and Washington DC) competed to become Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Tori was thrilled to be named a top-ten finalist at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.

In both Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen she competed in private interview, talent competition, evening gown competition, onstage question, and fitness. Tori was awarded over $10,000 in monetary scholarships for her to use to further her education at The University of Alabama.

Tori Johnston

Class of 2021 Miss Teen Mississippi 2021 ❝

Tori was a pleasure to have in my classroom. Her positive attitude, motivation, and kindness will lead to great success in her future endeavors.

MARICLAIRE NIX Junior High Science Teacher ❞